The good news is that you can paint gloss kitchen cabinets, but they require more work than matt or wood kitchen cabinets. If you don't prepare the surface correctly, you won't get a good finish, they won't last as long, and they won't withstand daily wear and tear.
I would say, you absolutely can. The types and quality of the paints out there means you can paint your gloss, MDF and wood kitchen cabinets.
If you attempt to paint over glossy paint without sanding then you will most likely have a peeling issue in the future. Since the paint will not have anything to grab on to it will chip and peel easily.
Because gloss is shiny and designed to be hard-wearing, painting straight over it won't work, and the paint won't stick. But with the proper preparation, gloss is easy to paint over.
If your cabinetry has a glossy finish, I think you definitely should sand them before painting. Paint has a hard time sticking to glossy finishes, so the rougher you can get your cabinets, the better. Even if you're priming (which you should!), sanding even a little will help create a lasting finish.
Extreme Bond Primer is a high quality, waterborne, acrylic bonding primer that promotes adhesion on a wide range of hard to paint surfaces with only a one coat application. Designed for coating hard, slick, glossy non-porous surfaces with minimal surface preparation (not designed for floors).
Covering with water-based paint: You can't paint over oil-based paint with water-based paint directly, but you can after some crucial prep. Doing the correct prep: Always sand the glossy surface of oil-based paint before applying water-based paint. This step ensures better adhesion and a smooth finish.
Lightly sand the entire surface of the paint evenly so it's no longer slick and glossy. Be sure to work the sandpaper into any corners or crevices so you can remove the glossy sheen. Don't try to remove or scrub off the paint, just the glossy surface. Use a fine-grit sandpaper between 180 and 220-grit.
It is formulated for use on most types of exterior and interior surfaces - previously painted or new work. Any oil or latex finish paint can be applied over Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3. Adheres to slick materials - gloss paint, tiles, metal, hardboard, melamine, plastic, GRP, uPVC.
You can use any paint to paint over gloss but it's important to use a super grip primer if you are painting over gloss with emulsion. If you are painting woodwork like skirting boards, doors or doorframes we recommend using satin or eggshell paint.
Poor paint adhesion is one of the most common consequences of skipping the sanding step. Without sanding, the cabinet surface remains smooth and may have a glossy finish or residual substances that hinder the paint from properly adhering.
The best way to remove gloss paint from wood is using a paint stripper. After leaving it on for around an hour, it will bubble the gloss paint, making it a breeze to scrape and sand.
The Best Finish for Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchens are heavy-use areas. They require a finish that can hold up to spills, are durable, and are easy to clean. Therefore, you may choose something like a gloss finish as the perfect option for your kitchen cabinets compared to matte and satin.
Liquid sandpaper, a.k.a. deglosser, is a chemical that can be used to rough up existing paint on walls and other surfaces by removing the gloss, making it possible to paint over what's left on the wall after use. This is good for hard to reach places or an object that you may feel would be awkward to sand.
To remove gloss paint from a surface, we would recommend you start with a medium grit sandpaper with a grit level of 100. After this you should then use a fine grit sandpaper with the grit level of 180 to even the surface and create a flat base for the paint to adhere to.
They literally won't “bond” in the scientific sense. So, if you try to layer a water-based paint on top of an oil-based color, you'll end up with a decorator's emergency when the paints naturally repel as they dry.
Surface preparation – Proper preparation is more critical with semi-gloss surfaces than matte surfaces. The surface must be thoroughly cleaned and lightly sanded to create a texture for the new paint to grip. Skipping or inadequately performing this step can lead to poor paint adhesion.
Johnstone's Trade Professional Gloss Brilliant White
Despite being oil based, which can result in yellowing, this professional gloss paint has an anti-yellowing formula which makes it our top contender!
Best for use in. Use on interior and exterior surfaces including woodwork, drywall, plaster, paneling, masonry, brick, painted metal and properly prepared glossy surfaces†.
Best Overall: Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Based Primer
Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Based Primer is one of the most powerful primers for kitchen cabinets. Its shellac formula adheres to glossy surfaces, blocks stains, and seals odors better than most alternatives.
Painting glossy, impermeable surfaces requires a primer with exceptional adhesion.